SEC Football Media Predictions, What the Experts Are Saying

Unfortunately, SEC Media Days are coming to an end. The bright side is that college football is right around the corner.

With Day 3 underway, the media has locked in their predictions for who they believe will finish where in the conference (SECDigitalNetwork.com has a complete list of the final results).

Some of these predictions may come off as a bit surprising, while others are what we expected. Still, predictions are always sure to get a rise out of somebody that is paying attention.

Here is what some of the experts are saying about some of the results from the media's SEC predictions.

Many Still Think SEC Won't Win National Championship

While the SEC media has predicted what they think will happen, FoxSports.com has put a poll up on their website, asking if an SEC team will win it all this year. (Via FOXSports.com, Pete Stella)

"

Of the 5,706 current votes on @CFBonFOX poll, 51 percent of users still think the SEC will NOT win the national title this season

— Pete Stella (@PeteStellaFOX) July 19, 2012"

Are these honest opinions, or people just tired of seeing the SEC win every season?

Mark Richt Speaks on Predictions

Overall, the media ended up picking the Georgia Bulldogs to win the SEC East. Head coach Mark Richt is optimistic about the results (via Scout.com):

"

I hope the media’s right. I was looking at the record of picking the eventual champions, it wasn’t really good. Maybe you guys are a lot better at picking divisional champs anyway, but it would nice to get back to Atlanta.

"

Georgia returns the majority of its starters on both sides of the ball and has a very favorable schedule heading into the 2012 season.

Predictions

If you're wondering what the final predictions look like when all of the votes were tallied up, Bleacher Report's Barrett Sallee has got you covered:

"

SEC West Media Predictions: LSU, Bama, Ark, Auburn, A&M, Miss. St., Ole Miss

— Barrett Sallee (@BarrettSallee) July 19, 2012"

"

SEC East Media Predictions: UGA, S.C., UF, Mizzou, Tenn., Vandy, UK

— Barrett Sallee (@BarrettSallee) July 19, 2012"

Do you agree or disagree? Who will be your sleeper team in 2012? Which team do you believe will disappoint?

LSU Is Overwhelming Favorite

Out of 222 total votes, the LSU Tigers received 129 to become the overwhelming favorite to win the conference, which is nearly double what Alabama had (via WWLTV.com).

The last time the Tigers were picked to win the conference was in 2007. LSU ended up winning the BCS National Championship that season as well.

It should once again be an interesting year in this wonderful conference.

Tennessee Improved Team?

Tennessee was predicted to finish fifth in the SEC East, and received a total of four first-place votes (via John Adams of the Knoxville News Sentinel):

"

SEC media believes Vols will be much improved. Picks them 5th in East after last season's last place finish.

— John Adams (@johnadamskns) July 19, 2012"

Tennessee finished dead last in the SEC East last season, so this would be an improvement.

Having said that, with the majority of last year's starters returning, a favorable schedule and arguably the best receiving corps in the country, I'm sure fans in Knoxville have even bigger dreams for 2012.

Ole Miss, What?

One of the most bizarre things surrounding these predictions was that somebody actually had the nerve to pick Ole Miss to finish first in the SEC.

No, it was not an error; an actual media member picked the Rebels to win this conference (via Ron Higgins of SECSports.com):

"

Somebody gave Ole Miss a first-place vote to win SEC title here at SEC media days. Thank God they don't drug test the voters.

— Ron Higgins (@RonHigg) July 19, 2012"

Teams like Vanderbilt, Mississippi State, Texas A&M and Kentucky did not receive a first-place vote, but a team that hasn't reached a bowl game in two years did. Can you say homer?

No Love for Knile Davis?

Arkansas running back Knile Davis said he was the best back in the entire conference on Wednesday (via ESPN), despite not playing at all last season.

Apparently, many media members do not agree with him (via 107.5 The Game's Michael Haney):

"

Don't expect unanimous picks, but for 104 of the 222 voting media members to leave Knile Davis off their All-SEC ballots is absurd.

— Michael Haney (@Haney1075) July 19, 2012"

Davis rushed for over 1,300 yards and scored 14 total touchdowns in 2010. He missed the entire 2011 season due to an ankle injury.

Do SEC Predictions Even Matter?

With these predictions creating quite a storm, we must all remember that we are only at the end of July.

There isn't one team in the country that can win any games before August (via Jon Solomon of The Birmingham News):

"

Media pick LSU in West, Georgia in East, LSU as SEC champ. Warning, LSU: Media is 4 for 20 since '92 picking champ.

— Jon Solomon (@jonsol) July 19, 2012"

With those odds, it is almost better that your team is not picked to win the conference.